Byron Scott had warned his squad that starters would get an early seat in the quarter if they began slowly. The Cavaliers are worst in the league in allowing opponents to shoot 48.4 percent in third quarters. Their own 41.8 percent is fourth-worst in the NBA.

"These last 18 games, it is a building block going into next year," Scott said.

This wasn't exactly how the Cavaliers want to build, though. The Mavericks began the third with a 14-8 streak, and finally took the lead with 5:27 left when Darren Collison flew by the Cavaliers defense for a layup.